Pint-sized Pour: Double Strike

Lightning's imperial IPA displays flashes of brilliance

What’s that accent?: Lightning is one of the few local breweries to focus on German-style beers — its pilsner may be California’s best. But I opened its new imperial India Pale Ale with trepidation. An IPA with a German accent? That didn’t sound right.

Striking: Double Strike left me thunderstruck. From the invigorating pine-and-tropical-fruit aroma to the honey-over-grapefruit flavors to the long, astringent finish — the hops linger and catch your breath, like a fresh sprig of mint — everything seemed bright and assured. I may have been nervous about this brew, but the folks at Lightning pulled this off with a brash confidence.